Nuclear deterrence in the new Cold War

St. Petersburg, July 2, 2015: Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles on display at the 7th International Maritime Defence Show (source: dpa)

Since the end of the post-Cold War period, experts have argued over what to call the current state of security relations between Russia and the West. Is a new Cold War approaching? Or is it perhaps already upon us? Some are coining new terms, such as “hot peace” or “bitter peace.” Regardless of how we name this historic moment, one thing is certain: the post-Cold War effort to fashion a system of cooperative security in the Euro-Atlantic area has failed. Russia has reverted to a confrontational stance toward NATO and the West in general, as President Vladimir Putin stated in no uncertain terms in an address to the Valdai Discussion Club in Sochi on October 22, 2015.

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